Danai Gurira’s Towering Updo Is a Stunning Ode to African Women at the Oscars 2023

The best way to elevate a red carpet look? With a hairstyle that literally increases your aesthetic altitude. Black Panther: Wakanda Forever actor and presenter Danai Gurira stole the spotlight at this evening’s Oscars 2023 with a towering updo that served as a visually impactful homage. 

“This is my African self coming out here, you know a tribute to the women who carry amazingly things on their heads with an astounding poise at all times,” said Gurira of the sculptural and bubbled columnar tie-up, the work of hairstylist Larry Sims. A shimmering band at the style’s base teamed with the actor’s luminous skin for a bit of celebratory scintillation, the textured detailing of her black Jason Wu a mirror of her hair’s natural finish. 

But the main note was undeniably the major hair height—a moment that Gurira carried off with all of the poise that the ode demanded.